The Four Paths of Yoga Essay Example
The Four Paths of Yoga Essay Example

The Four Paths of Yoga Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (903 words)
  • Published: May 29, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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In life, we are faced with choices, embark on journeys, undergo change and growth, and experience pain. To progress in any life path, it is essential to take action. The four paths of Yoga offer different approaches to gain wisdom, practice devotion, take action, and achieve physical and mental control. These paths present opportunities for personal transformation and development. BKS Iyenger, the author of Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjal, explains that the ultimate objective of Yoga is to attain "Kaivalya" (emancipation or ultimate freedom). This involves establishing a connection with one's innermost being or soul (Taylor, 2006).

The various styles, teachings, and traditions of yoga bring different changes and yet they all complement each other. There are four main paths of yoga: Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, and Raja. Each path is s

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uitable for different temperaments or approaches to life. Ultimately, all paths lead to the same destination - union with Brahman or God - and it is necessary to integrate the teachings from each path to attain true wisdom. Among the paths, Karma Yoga is one of the most commonly practiced in Hindu religion.

The text discusses the concept of karma in Hindu philosophy, which combines both physical and mental aspects. According to Rice (2007), karma is based on the idea that past actions have consequences and impact one's life. The text emphasizes that individuals often take action with the expectation of receiving something in return, but the concept of karma encourages detachment from such attachments. By acting selflessly and without thoughts of personal gain or reward, one can purify the heart and free oneself from ego. The process involves offerin

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the fruits of one's actions to God.

The act of practicing Karma Yoga involves dedicating one's thoughts, actions, and feelings to God with the intention of serving as a vessel. On the other hand, Bhakti Yoga focuses on pure spiritual devotion and is ideal for individuals who mainly desire emotional fulfillment and well-being. This path places great importance on love and devotion, perceiving God as the ultimate form of love. By engaging in prayer, worship, and ritualistic practices, practitioners surrender themselves to God and effectively convert their emotions into unconditional love and devotion.

T. Krishnamacharya (1998) explains that a significant aspect of Bhakti Yoga involves the act of chanting or singing in praise of God. In contrast, Jnana Yoga, known as the path of wisdom, necessitates a complete change in perspective and is regarded as the most challenging route. Its objective is to uncover hidden knowledge within individuals through questioning, meditation, and contemplation. This path requires thorough exploration of our existence by systematically examining and discarding false identities. One technique used to accomplish this goal is Neti-neti Meditation, which translates to "not this, not this."

The meditation practitioner employs the technique of dismissing any unrelated thoughts or feelings that arise during the practice by simply uttering the phrase "Not this, not this." This approach is considered the ultimate path to achieving self-realization. Raja Yoga, which emphasizes self-control, is deemed the most elevated form of yoga as it aims to gain enlightenment by controlling both the mind and body. Raja Yoga adopts a systematic and scientific approach to yoga, which entails analyzing the mind and applying various techniques to bring it under control and attain heightened

levels of consciousness.

The mental aspect of Raja is meditation. According to Roberts (2007), meditation, concentration, and breathing are the key methods to achieve absolute mental control as taught in Patanjali's Eight Limbs. A calm mind is a step closer to self-awareness. On the other hand, Hatha yoga represents the physical branch of the meditative science of Raja yoga. It involves postures, breath control, and relaxation to gain control over the body. Hatha yoga encompasses various styles including ananda, ashtanga, bikram, integral, iyengar, kripalu, kundalini, sivananda, and viniyoga.

By practicing both physical and mental Raja, it is believed that one can achieve complete enlightenment. Each path of Yoga contributes to the understanding and direct experience of the inherent connection between individual consciousness and universal consciousness. This indicates that yoga shares similarities with other religious practices. Religion serves as a means to gain knowledge about the creator of everything. Numerous religions provide scriptures and worship services as a way to educate individuals about God's existence, which surpasses human capacity but can be embraced within our hearts and demonstrated through our actions.

The act of service within a religious group can be seen as a reflection of the principles of Karma Yoga. Many Catholic churches, for example, devote considerable time and effort to selflessly giving to others. As Father Steven Reilly (2009) emphasizes, believers are encouraged to offer everything to Christ, regardless of its perceived insignificance, as great things can be accomplished through his divine power even with seemingly meager resources like the five loaves and two fish. This spirit of giving without expecting anything in return serves to instill trust in God and promotes a

mindset that extends beyond self-interest. Such selflessness aligns with the core principles of Karma Yoga.

Devotion, which is practiced in various ways by world religions, is a belief that connects everything to the Divine. It promotes self-discipline, guiding actions and promoting well-being. Devotion serves as the foundation of Bhakti Yoga and cultivates emotional well-being, indicating that devotion in all its forms across religions can foster harmony and peace. "Spiritual devotion leads to concentration and focus, which in turn leads to success and happiness.

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